Taunton pets take center stage at Blessing of the Animals at Episcopal Church of St. Thomas

Dozens of Taunton pets took part in what otherwise would have been a typical service at Episcopal Church of St. Thomas on Sunday morning. The Rev. Richard Bardusch said that the Blessing of the Animals has become a tradition for the Taunton parish, during which members and guests bring their pets on the first Sunday in October, to receive a special prayer at the front of the High Street church.

Dozens of Taunton pets took part in what otherwise would have been a typical service at the Episcopal Church of St. Thomas on Sunday morning. The Rev. Richard Bardusch said that the Blessing of the Animals has become a tradition for the Taunton parish, during which members and guests bring their pets on the first Sunday in October, to receive a special prayer at the front of the High Street church.

"We do it in celebration of St. Francis Day on Oct. 4," said Bardusch, whose miniature pinscher Rocky participated in the morning service. "We regard pets as part of our families, so we want them to experience God's blessing too."

Dozens of dogs, and some cats, along with a few stuffed animals, were blessed by Bardusch during the middle of the service. Most of the dogs sat patiently throughout service, while a few let out the occasional bark or whimper.

"I think it's great," said Gerry Feeney, who brought her dog Maggie to be blessed. "It shows everybody that the dogs mean something, too. The animals mean something too. They need to be loved. I'm very happy for Maggie being blessed."

Jacqui Schell of Taunton and Jim White brought their dogs Fiona and Trevor.

"We actually started coming to this church last year because of the blessing," Schell said. "This just a regular Sunday for us but we got to bring our pets. It's definitely something unique. It's great."

Kay Boyer said she figured her dog "needed some blessing."

Bardusch said in previous years, the event has drawn an alligator and a horse, along with guinea pigs and goldfish. Some people at the service this year even brought their iPhones up to the front of the church during the ceremony, bearing digital pictures of their pets to be blessed in lieu of their presence.

Bardusch said the Blessing of the Animals is inspired by St. Francis, who was born in Italy in the 1200s as the son of a successful businessman, but who forsook money, preferring a life among the poor. The patron saint of animals, famously preaching to birds at times, was known for his miracles sometimes involving animals, and compassion for the poor and animals.

"Our pets have emotions, just like us," Bardusch said. "I think animals have souls too. People have people souls; animals have animal souls. The Scripture says that God will redeem all of creation, and all of creation includes animals. I don't know how it will happen, but I just know there is a promise there that God will redeem everything."